If you have been thinking about seeing a psychologist but have been putting it off because of the cost, a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP is how you access subsidised sessions through Medicare. It is not complicated to get, but there are a few things worth knowing before you book so the appointment actually does what you need it to do.
This article explains what a Mental Health Care Plan is, who is eligible, how to ask your GP for one, what happens during the appointment, and how the Medicare rebate works.
Mental Health Care Plans at One Health Clinics Albion: 30 to 40 minute appointment with your GP. No referral needed to book. Call 1300 689 133 or book online using the booking link on this page.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Information about fees, rebates, and Medicare rules is current at the time of publication and is subject to change: confirm current details with the clinic and Services Australia before booking. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have about your mental health or treatment options.
What Is a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a document your GP writes that gives you access to subsidised psychology sessions through Medicare. It is prepared under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, which is the Australian Government’s main program for funding psychological therapy.
The plan documents your current mental health concerns, your relevant history, your treatment goals, and a referral to see a psychologist or other eligible mental health professional. Once your plan is in place, you can claim a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual therapy sessions per calendar year (January to December).
To be clear about what it does: it reduces the cost of seeing a psychologist. It does not make it free. Most psychologists charge more than the Medicare rebate, so there will usually be a gap payment. The plan makes the gap much smaller than paying the full fee out of pocket.
| What the plan gives you | What it does not do |
|---|---|
| Access to Medicare rebates for psychology sessions | Make therapy free: there is usually a gap fee |
| Up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year | Lock you into a specific psychologist you cannot change |
| A referral your psychologist needs to process your rebate | Expire: but the referral within it covers a set number of sessions |
| A clear record of your mental health needs | Guarantee immediate access to a psychologist: wait lists vary |
| A foundation for coordinated care with your GP | Cover couple or family therapy: only individual and group sessions |
Who Is Eligible?
You do not need to be in crisis or have a serious psychiatric diagnosis to get a Mental Health Care Plan. The Better Access scheme is designed for people with a diagnosed mental disorder, which covers a wide range of presentations, including anxiety, depression, stress, grief, trauma, eating disorders, and other difficulties that are affecting how you are getting on with daily life.
If your mental health is getting in the way of your work, your relationships, your sleep, or how you feel about yourself, it is worth talking to your GP about whether a plan is appropriate for your situation. You do not need to meet a specific threshold of severity to ask. For more information on eligibility, visit healthdirect.gov.au.
Note: One thing worth knowing: you do not need to have a named diagnosis before you see your GP. Your GP will assess your situation during the appointment and make the clinical call about whether a plan is appropriate. Coming in and describing what you have been experiencing is enough to start the conversation.
Note: Mental Health Care Plans are not subject to the MyMedicare registration requirement: they can be prepared and reviewed by any eligible GP. Your GP can clarify what applies to your situation at your appointment.
Disclaimer: Medicare policy is subject to change. The information in this article is a general guide only. Speak to your GP or contact Services Australia to confirm what applies to your situation before booking. This article does not constitute Medicare advice.
How to Book and What to Tell Reception
Booking the right appointment length is the most common thing people get wrong when trying to get a Mental Health Care Plan. A standard 15-minute GP appointment is not long enough. You need at least 30 minutes, and some GPs prefer 40 minutes for a first mental health appointment.
When you call One Health Clinics Albion on 1300 689 133 or book online, ask for a mental health appointment or a long consultation and mention that you would like to discuss a Mental Health Care Plan. You do not need to give a detailed reason: that is enough for reception to book you into the right length appointment.
You do not need a referral from another doctor to book. You book directly with the GP.
Book onlineWhat Happens During the Appointment
The appointment has a few distinct parts. Your GP is not just filling in a form: they need to do a proper clinical assessment before they can write the plan.
Your GP will ask what has been going on
This is the part that feels most like a conversation. Your GP will ask about your current symptoms: how you have been feeling, how long it has been going on, how it is affecting your day-to-day life. They are trying to build a picture of what is happening so they can document it accurately and make sure the plan reflects your actual situation.
You do not need to have this perfectly organised before you arrive. If it helps, jot down a few notes beforehand: what you have been experiencing, roughly how long, and what you are hoping might improve. But if you have not prepared anything, that is fine too. Your GP will ask the questions they need to ask.
Your GP will document your mental health concerns and goals
The plan itself captures your current presentation, relevant history, your goals for treatment, and what kind of support is being recommended. This is what your psychologist will receive when you attend your first session: it gives them context before you walk in the door.
Your GP will write a referral letter
Here is something that trips people up: the Mental Health Care Plan and the referral letter are two separate documents. You need both. The referral is addressed to a specific psychologist or to ‘Dear Psychologist’ if you have not chosen one yet. Your psychologist needs to receive the referral before they can process your Medicare rebate. For further detail on how the referral and rebate process works, see the Services Australia website.
If you have a psychologist in mind, tell your GP at the appointment so they can name them in the referral. If you do not have one yet, the referral can be written to ‘Dear Psychologist’ and you can use it wherever you end up going.
Your GP might also discuss medication
Not everyone who gets a plan is offered medication, and not everyone who goes on medication needs a plan. But if your GP thinks medication might be relevant, to help stabilise your mood while you work with a psychologist for example, this is often a good time to have that conversation. There is no obligation to start anything you are not comfortable with.
Related reading: What to Expect at Your First GP Appointment in Brisbane
How the Sessions and Rebates Work
Once you have your plan and referral, you book directly with a Medicare-registered psychologist or eligible mental health professional. Here is how the rebate system works.
How many sessions can you access?
Up to 10 individual therapy sessions per calendar year (1 January to 31 December). Your GP initially refers you for up to 6 sessions. After those 6 sessions, your psychologist will typically write back to your GP. Your GP then reviews your progress and can refer you for the remaining sessions if ongoing support is still needed.
If you reach the 10-session limit and still need support, you can continue seeing your psychologist but the remaining sessions will be at full cost. Some people choose to pause at the end of the calendar year and restart their 10 sessions in January. Talk to your psychologist about what makes sense for your situation.
What does the rebate cover?
The Medicare rebate for a psychology session depends on whether you are seeing a clinical psychologist or a general registered psychologist. As of July 2026, the rebates are approximately $149 for a clinical psychologist and $102 for a general psychologist, per session. These figures are set by Medicare and do not change based on the psychologist’s fee. Current rebate amounts are published on the Services Australia website.
Most psychologists charge more than the rebate, so there will be a gap. How large that gap is depends entirely on the individual psychologist’s rates. When you are researching psychologists, it is reasonable to ask their fee per session and confirm they are Medicare-registered before booking.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. See your GP | Book a 30 to 40 min mental health appointment at One Health Clinics Albion |
| 2. Receive your plan and referral | Two documents: your MHCP and a referral letter to a psychologist |
| 3. Book with a psychologist | Take both documents; confirm they are Medicare-registered |
| 4. Attend sessions 1 to 6 | Pay the session fee; claim your rebate via Medicare app or at the clinic |
| 5. GP review | After session 6, your GP reviews and refers for up to 4 more sessions if needed |
| 6. Sessions 7 to 10 | Same process; resets each calendar year on 1 January |
Disclaimer: Medicare rebate amounts for psychology sessions are set by the Australian Government and are subject to change. The figures cited in this article (approximately $149 for a clinical psychologist and $102 for a general psychologist per session) reflect rates current at the time of publication. Most psychologists charge above the rebate: the gap payment depends on the individual practitioner’s fee. Confirm current rebate amounts and your psychologist’s fees before booking your first session. This article does not constitute financial or Medicare advice.
The Psychologists at Albion Central
One Health Clinics Albion has two psychology practices in the Allied Health Suites downstairs, accessed near the rear of the Albion Central complex. Both operate independently from the GP clinic and have their own booking systems.
- Livwell Psychology: a clinical psychology practice working with adolescents and young adults, with a focus on trauma, anxiety, mood, and ADHD and ASD assessments.
- Surge PW: a sport and exercise psychology practice working with adolescents, young adults, and athletes on confidence, emotional regulation, and performance concerns.
If one of these practices is the right fit for what you are dealing with, your GP can make the referral directly to them. If you would prefer a different psychologist not at this location, your GP can write the referral to them instead. You are not required to use the psychologists in the building: the referral works anywhere in Australia.
What If You Are Not Ready to See a Psychologist Yet?
The plan and the referral do not expire quickly. You do not have to book your first psychology session the week after your GP appointment. Some people get the plan in place when they are ready to start, but have a few weeks to wait before their first session. Others get it and then take a bit of time to find the right psychologist for them.
If you are unsure whether therapy is right for you, a conversation with your GP at the mental health appointment is itself worthwhile: even if you end up not going forward with a referral right away. Sometimes just getting a proper assessment from a doctor you trust is useful, even if the next step takes time to figure out.
Questions People Have About Getting a Mental Health Care Plan
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Do I need to have a diagnosis to get a Mental Health Care Plan?
No. Your GP will assess your situation during the appointment and determine whether a plan is clinically appropriate. You do not need to arrive with a named diagnosis. Describing what you have been experiencing, how you have been feeling, for how long, and how it is affecting your life, is enough to start the process.
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How long does the appointment take?
A mental health appointment for a Care Plan should be at least 30 minutes, and at One Health Clinics Albion these are booked as 30 or 40-minute appointments. When you book, mention that you want to discuss a Mental Health Care Plan so reception can give you the right appointment type. For current fees for these appointment types, see the clinic fees section.
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Can I get a plan via telehealth?
In many cases, yes. A Mental Health Care Plan can often be prepared via telehealth for eligible patients where clinically appropriate. Speak to the clinic directly to confirm.
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Do I have to use one of the psychologists in the building?
No. The referral your GP writes can be used with any Medicare-registered psychologist in Australia. If the psychology practices at Albion Central are not the right fit for your needs or have a wait list, your GP can write the referral to whoever you choose.
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What is the difference between a Mental Health Care Plan and a GP Management Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is specifically for mental health and gives you access to Medicare rebates for psychology sessions. A GP Management Plan (GPMP) is for patients with chronic physical health conditions, and gives access to subsidised allied health visits (including physiotherapy, dietitian, and podiatry). They serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.
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Can I get another plan next year?
Yes. The 10-session limit resets on 1 January each year. If you are still benefiting from therapy at the start of a new calendar year, your GP can review and re-refer you for another course of sessions. You will need a review appointment with your GP for this: it does not happen automatically.
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What if I see a GP who is not at my usual clinic?
Mental Health Care Plans are not subject to the MyMedicare registration rule, so you can have one prepared by an eligible GP at One Health Clinics Albion. Ask your GP to confirm what applies to your situation.
Disclaimer: Fees and Medicare rebates listed in this article are current at the time of publication and are subject to change. Out-of-pocket costs depend on individual Medicare eligibility and the appointment type booked. Please confirm current fees with the clinic before your appointment. This article does not constitute financial or Medicare advice.
Disclaimer: One Health Clinics Albion is a primary care clinic and is not an emergency mental health service. If you or someone you know requires urgent mental health support, do not wait for a GP appointment. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days), Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or attend your nearest hospital emergency department. In a life-threatening situation, call 000.
Book a Mental Health Appointment at One Health Clinics Albion
Book a 30 or 40-minute mental health appointment and mention that you would like to discuss a Mental Health Care Plan. No referral needed to book. The clinic also has a clinical psychologist and sport and exercise psychologist in the building if you want to stay in the same location for your therapy.
Book onlineYou can also call the clinic on 1300 689 133. The clinic is at One Health Clinics, 6 Crosby Rd Albion QLD 4010. Current opening hours are listed below.
| Mon - Thu: | 7:00am - 6:00pm |
|---|---|
| Fri: | 7:00am - 5:30pm |
| Sat: | 9:00am - 2:00pm |
| Sun: | Closed |